Lynne Featherstone

The increasing number of people living illegally in overdeveloped homes is a result of the lack of action by Haringey Council say the borough’s Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Wayne Hoban has expressed his concern that Labour-run Haringey Council has not tackled effectively the problem of illegal Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and has demanded that Haringey Council urgently review its policy.

In response to a request from local residents to tackle suspected illegal HMO in Alexandra ward, a Council Planning Enforcement Officer responded: “there is no planning definition of what a HMO requiring planning permission is.” He also stated that: “we are working on producing a fixed definition but at the moment we use our best judgement.”

Cllr Wayne Hoban (Alexandra ward) comments:

“I am staggered that the Labour Council is running a borough which clearly has a major problem with illegal HMOs, that often blight the lives and environment of many local residents, and yet does not have a clear policy on this important issue. Leaving such decisions to a planning enforcement officer’s best judgement is just not good enough.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch, Lib Dem Planning Spokesperson, adds:

“The provision of good housing should be the Council’s goal rather than turning a blind eye to illegal substandard HMOs. These illegal developments are often poorly built, badly maintained and overload services and schools without contributing revenue to the Council. Without providing a robust and clear policy to take action Haringey Council is allowing illegal developers to pocket the profits.”